Observation-station



W. G. RUGGLES.

OBSERVATION STATION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14,.1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. G. RUGGLES.

OBSERVATION STATION.

APPLICATIONVHLED SEPT. I4, 1916.

1,352,992, Patented Sept. 14,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR 'A TTORNEY w. e. RUGGLES.

OBSERVATION STATION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1 I916.

PatentedSept. 14, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- A TTOR/VEY UNITED STATES OBSERVATION-STATION.

Specification of Letters Patent. P t nt d Septf14, 1920.

Application filed September 14, 1916. Serial No. 120,173. 1

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known thatI, WILLIAM GUY RUG- GLns, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of San Francisco, in the county of San Franciscoand State of California, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Observation-Stations, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates in general to an observation station or buoy andparticularly relates to such a device designed to constitute a controland observation station for a submarine or other anchoring orreceivingstation positioned beneath the water.

7 At present submarines have the disadvantage in that when at thesurface they are subjected to attack either by gun fire or by rammingbecause the period of time required in order to submerge is suflicientto permit the enemy to destroy the boat before it can sink out of thedanger zone. The submarine must sink until its periscope or any otherevidence of its presence is below the surface, but when so submerged thecrew of the submarine haveno means of acquiring information as towhatmay be on the surface. At present it is necessary for the submarine tocome up in order to make an observation.

7 As a submarine can be seen from an aeroplane when the boat is thirtyor forty feet below the surface and the submarine cannot may makeobservations on the surface with the'least possible risk of detection.

, I attain this ob 'ect broadly by providing a water tight tank of asize sufficient to contain an observer and, if desired, equipped with asmall periscope and with means for communicating vobservations back tothe sub- Such a marine or other receiving station.

device can be passed out of, the submarineor other container and floatedto any position slightly below the surface desired by the observer andfrom this position observation can be made with comparative safety.

Incidental to this general object it is a further desideratum to providea construction in which the observer may-be quickly introduced and inwhich the observer-conrATEN'T OFFICE.

taining tank or vessel may be passed from A I the submarine free of anypossibility of introducing water accidentally either into the submarineinterior or into the interior of the'observation tank.

Another ob 'ect of the inventionis to provlde a simple and easilycontrolled mechanism for regulating the movements of the observationtank and still another object is to provide a simple form ofcommunicating means between the observer and the navigating or otherofficer of the submarine. Stlll another object is to provide a type ofobservation tank which can be opened as desiredto the outside air forthe purpose of supplying air to the observer and thus conserve thesupply of artificial air carried by the tank.

Various-other objects and advantages of the inventlon will be in partobvious from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part willbe more fully set forth in the following particular description of oneform of mechanism embodying my inven tion, and the invention alsoconsists in certaln new and novel features of construction andcombination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a View of a body ofwater showing asubmarine: in outline, submerged below enemy battleshipson the surface and enemy acronautical devices above the surface andshowing a preferred embodiment of my invention in connection withthe-submerged submarine;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of a transferring tank constitutlngpart of the submarine and with its parts in closed position;

r Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, taken at right angles theretoandshowing both the transferring and observation tanks with their parts inopenposition to receive the observer; 1 V v Fig. e is a view partly-inside elevation and partly broken away to showsome of the internalconstruction and. contents of the.

observation tank;

Fig. 5 is adetail of the joint between the two parts of .either theobservation or the transferring tank; a

, Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through an enlar ed view of the,closing cap at the bottom of the observation tank Fig. 7 1s a transversesectional-view taken through the cable connection of-Fig. 6; and takenon the line 77 of Fig. 6;

Figs. .8, 9, 10 and 11 are transverse sectional views taken respectivelyon the lines 8-8, 99, 10-10, and 1111 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings and referring particularly to Fig. 1 there is shown areceiving station 12, which for the purpose of this disclosure may beconsidered as a submarine herein shown to be submerged and positioned adistance below the surface, indi cated by the line 13 sufficient toremove the submarine out of any danger of ramming, of gun-fire from thewar-ships '14 on the surface, and belowthe depth at which it might beseen from the aeroplane 15. There is also shown in Fig. 1 an observationtank 16 of relatively small size but of suflicient capacity to containan observer positioned therein. This tank is" shown in its normalobserving position and provided with a periscope 17 with its eyel8positioned slightly above the level of the water and with theobservor-containing-portion of the tank sub merged below the surface.The tank is shown floating above the submarine and connected thereto bymeans of a flexible cable 19.

This flexible connection may also provide a means of communicationbetween the observation and the receiving stations and for thispurposemay include an insulated telephone wire 20 (see Fig. 4) connectedwith a telephone head-piece 21 worn by the operator in the observationtank. The other end of the telephone wire makes proper con- 7 nectionwith a coacting telephone apparatus in the submarine.

The twist of the flexible connection 19 is very apt to cause a rotarymovement of the observation tank and in order to minimize this rotarymovement about the vertical axis, the upper end of the tank is, providedwith I a guiding fin construction 22 in the form of a flat plateextending longitudinally of the tank and on opposite sides of theperiscope tube 23 and attached to the lower ring 45 to form a buttressbrace for this tube.

The observation tank and its contents are nonmagnetic so as to permitthe use of a magnetic compass, if desired and is pref erably ofcylindrical form with a frustoconical lower end 24 and a dome-shapedupper end 25 constituting closing means at opposite ends of the tank anddesigned to withstand the severe external waterpressures withoutdistorting the construction. The tank is preferably formed of two partsor sections with the adjacent open ends telescoping with an interruptedbayonet form of screw joint usually used in form- ,ing water-tightjoints. The quick acting joint includes loosely fitting threads 27 (seeFig. 5) and suitable ring packing members 28 disposed between the endthreads of one part and the adjacent side of the other part. The threadsare of materially less crosssection longitudinally of the tank thantheir containing grooves 29 whereby slight longi-= tudinal play ispermitted between the parts or sections and the packing is so arrangedhat a collapsing movement between the sections affected by end pressureson the tank causes the packing to become compressed and thus furtherinsure a watertight condition at the joint. The upper end 25 is providedwith eye ports 25, through which the observer can see out through thetop of the observation tank. I

The apex of the lower'end 24 is formed of a bushing plug 31 (see :Fig.having a reduced threaded portion 32 screwed into the end 24 andrecessed from its inner end to a compartment 33. The flexible connection19 containing the electric cable or wire 20 is passed through the plugand the wrappings 34 of the cable are separated and flared. outwardly.The flared portionof the wrappings is fastened between a ring 35 and aplate 36 which coact to form a carria ge rotatably mounted upon rollerbearings 37 within the compartment. The conducting wire 20 of the cableis passed through a tube 37 rigidly attached to the plate 36 andpassingup through a gland 38 threaded into the inner end of the portion 32 thusclosingthe compartment. 7 The gland includes a stuffing box 89 designedto provide a water-tight joint between the conducting wires and thebushing plug to pre'-' vent leakage into the interior ofthe tank at thispoint.

The periscope tube 23 is formed of a plu-i scope and at the same timeprovide the least possible size of target for the enemy gun'- ners, andis rotatably mounted in the domeshaped head 25 preferably to one side ofthe axis of the tank'so as to position the periscope eye piece 40 asclose to one side of the tank as possible and thus give the operator themaximum available moving space within the small quarters provided by thetank. The tube is rotated by some suitable crank mechanism 41 and isarranged to direct the eye 18 of the periscope in any direction aboutits vertical axis. Two fluid conducting tubes are fixed to the outsideof the periscope tube, one of which tubes 43 has its upper endpositioned relatively close to the eye 18 in a position to direct acleansing substance across the eye to clean the same and the other tube44 has its upper end positioned slightly below the upper end of the tube43. The fluid tubes are carried by the periscope tube and are' supported'on a plurality of rings 45 spaced longitudinally of the periscope tubeandfixed inposition so that the periscope tube is free to rotate. Thefluid tubes are positioned close to the outer surface of the periscopetube as shown in the sectional views in Figs. 810 and are positionedapproximately 90 to each other so that the apparent diameter of theperiscope tube is increased by not more than the diameter of one of thefluid tubes when viewed from any horizontal angle, and are led into thefloat through the head 25 and adapted to be closed by stop cocksprovided with nipples to receive the flexible air tubes hereinafterdescribed.

A cleaning outfit may be provided, which in this instance includes atank 46 of alcohol and a tank 47 of compressed air adapted to beconnected by a flexible tubing 48 with the inner end of the tube 43 toproject a mixture of alcohol and air forcibly across the eye of theperiscope to clean the same of oil or other foreign substances whichmight interfere with the clear, vision through the periscope. These twotubes can-also be used in connection with a breathing bag to draw airinto the tank through the tube 43 and to expire through the tube 44. V VV In this way the supply of artificial air may be conserved while theobserver is at the surface of the water. The observation tank is alsoprovided with a pressure gage 49 or other mechanism for indicating thedepth at which the; observation .tank is floating.

In order to transfer the observer from the interior of a submarine orother inclosed space to and from the observation tank, there is provideda transferring receptacle, shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3.This receptacle includes a two-part cylindrical casing, designed toproject above the deck of the submarine and attached thereto by somesuitable means, such as the flange plate 50, encircling the upperportion 51 of the receptacle. This plate is preferably adjustable on thetank so as to fit within'a suitably constructed man-hole in the top deckof the submarine and to space the lower end of the upper section adistance from the floor 52 of the submarine merely sufiicient to swingthe lower section into its engagement with the upper section withtheminimum amount of lifting operation. The'upper portion of thereceptacle is designed to contain the relatively short upper portion ofthe observation tank together with the periscope tube and the lowerportion 52 is similarly designed to contain the lower portion of theobservation tank when the parts of the tank are separated from eachother as shown. in Fig.3. When the-parts of the transfer tanks areseparated, the upper portion of the observation tank is maintained inpositlon by means of some suitable keeper 53. The parts of, thetransfertank are. fastened together by means of interrupted threadconnections similar to those described for the parts of the observationtank, which connection maybe reinforced by an exter-- nally disposedstrap band 55, the ends of Which are arranged to be drawn together by aturn-buckle 56. Av pair of differential hoist mechanisms 57 positionedon opposite sides of the tank may be used to handle the lower section ofthe transfer'tank. The up per end of the transfer tank is positionedabove the deck of the submarine, and is designed to be opened to permitthe passage of the, observation tank to and from the interior of thetransfer tank. The upper end of this tank is closed by means of a cover58 provided with a pivoting extension 59 projecting to one side thereof.and positioned between a pair. of brackets 60 projecting from the sideof the tank. The cover is manipulated from within the submarine by meansof an actuating rod 61 having a worm and segmental gear connection 62with the extension of the cover. The cover is securely fastened to thetank by means of bolts 63 passed through'the plate 50, operated from'the interior 'of the submarine and having threaded ends 64:- engaging inthreaded sockets 65 in extension 66 projecting from the periphery of thecover.

The portion of the flexible connection 0p-' posite the end attached tothe observation tank is passed about a winding drum 66 rotatably mountedwithin the'lower portion 52 of the transferring-tank and actuatedexteriorly of the tank through a worm and gear drive 67 in turn actuatedfrom a suitably disposed electric motor 68; As pre viously suggested theflexible connection contains the telephone or other electric wirescommunicating with. the observation tank and the inner end oftheseelectric wires are passed through an opening 69, in the hub shaft70 of the drum and through a waters tight plug 71 into the interior ofthe submarine so as to make proper connection with the receiving stationand other mechanism controlled from the observation tank. A water pipe 72 designed to be connected with the water ballast tanks of the submarineIn order to. permit the I fluid communication with the pipe 72 and leadseither to the outsideof the submarine or to any apparatus containing apressure equal to the water pressure about the submarine. A device ofthis characteris sufliciently self contained that it may be secretlymanufactured, stored at convenient points, and in time of war installedin submarines prepared to receive it simply by bolting flange 50 (Fig.to a man-hole in the deck designed for this purpose.

In operation and with the tank parts in their open position shown inFig. 3, the observer takes his position within the lower part of theobservation tank with some suitable breath purifying apparatus and thetwo parts of the tank are raised into telescoping position by means ofthe differential hoists and the parts are securely fastened together byany approved means, as by means of a large wrench rotating the threadedparts into interlocking position. Likewise the parts of the transfertank are similarly tened together, so that there is a water-tightconnection between the parts of the observation tank and between theparts of the transfer tank. The water pipe is then open to the waterballast tank in the submarine so as to admit water to the space betweenthe tanks and at the same time air is permitted to escape from thetransfer tank through the cock 75. Finally the pipe 7 6 is opened so asto equalize pressure and permit an inspectionof the joints before thecover is opened. The cover controlling the, opening into the transfertank from the outside of the submarine is then loosened by rotating thebolts holding'the cover in place and when free of the holding means thecover is swung into open position. The buoyancy of the observation tankwill cause it to rise out of the transfer tank and move upwardly towardthe surface of the water, the ascent being permitted and controlled byany suitable mechanism regulating the rate at which the take-up drum isallowed to rotate. The observer in the tank can ascertain, by means ofhis pressure gage, the approach to. the surface and eventually can judgeby the amount of light seen through the ports just how close he is tothe surface and can indicate to the receiving station to apply a braketo the drum orotherwise control the position of the tank. 1

The observer connect the flexible tubing attached to alcohol andcompressed air tanks 46 and i? to the nipple of the stop cock clos ingthe inner end of fluid pipe 43, and upon reaching the surface, shouldfloating oil or other matter dim or obscure the eye of the periscope hemay turn same until the outer lens faces the outer orifice of the pipe43 and by gentle blasts of alcohol and air clean and dry same quickly.

- The observation tank may be. equipped with a type of periscope inwhich the field bounded by the horizon is vertically disposed anuassociated with a compass card arranged so that the observer can reportby phone or otherwise to the submarine ofthrough same, inhaling throughpipe 43. using a breathing bag to arrest any moisture that may enterpipe 43. Observations covering considerable periods of time are thusmade possible in a locality patrolled by air-crafts in advance of themovement of ships, and the submarine by lying quietly gives no warningto enemy microphones of her presence.

The observerreturns to the submarine by reversing the operation by whichhe leftit.

This device renders unnecessary the fatal danger of a submarine beingshelled or rammed by rising close to a boat lying quietly on thesurface, and upon which'the submarines microphones are not operative.

In the last analysis this invention enables a submarine boat to enterthe sea under the midst ofan enemy fleet, and from a position of minimumdanger to itself intelligently direct the maximum of destruction uponthe most important ships of that enemy.

In this specification reference has been made to a submarine as thereceiving and control station for the observation tank, but it isobvious that the device may be operated from a stationary submergedcompartment and when considered in this connection it will be noted thatthe device may constitute a feature of coast and harbor defence. Such anobservation station situated off the coast may be utilizedas a firecontrol station for shore batteries and can 2. In a device of the classdescribed,'a.

floating body provided with' a periscope and provided with a finconstruction held in fixed position relative to the periscope and thustending to hold the field of view through the periscope.

3. In a device of the class described, an

observation tank provided with a periscope controlling the same and afin construction at the upper end of the tankrigidly fixed thereto andextending parallel to the length of the tank. 7 I

5. An observation tank having a periscope tube extending upwardlytherefrom and a fin construction for resisting rotary movement of thetank, said fin construction constituting a brace for the periscope tube.

6. An observation tank provided with externally actuated means forcontrolling the submerged position thereof, and a thin guiding fin fixedto the upper portion of the tank for retarding rotary movement thereofabout a vertical axis.

7. A metallic cylindrical observation tank having a rigidity sufficientto withstand water pressure at great depths and having a of said shellsbeing provided with an 0b servation port, and means within the closedtank for communicating exteriorly. of the tank.

8. In a device of the class described, a cylindrical observation tankincluding two interfitting sections, a bayonet screw-threaded connectionbetween. said sections, the threads of said connection being materiallyless in cross-section than their containing grooves whereby slightlongitudinal play is permitted between the sections and a packingcompressed by a collapsing movement between the sections.

9. In an observation tank, a bearing ex-' tending through a side of thetank, an electric cable passed through the bearing, said bearingprovided with a compartment, a carriage rotatably mounted in saidcompartment with the outside wrapping of cable aflixed thereto, theconducting wires of the cable extending through the bearing into theinterior of the tank.

10. In an observation tank, a bearing extending through a side of thetank, an electric cable passed through the bearing, said bearingprovided with a compartment and a bushing, a carriage rotatably mountedin said compartment with the outside wrapping of cable afiixed thereto,the conducting wires of the cable extending through the bushin into theinterior of the tank.

11. I n a device of the class described, the combination of anobservation tank, a continuous electric cable leading through a side ofthe tank and provided with wrappings leading to'the tank and rotatablemeans for fastening the wrappings of the cable to the tank, andanti-friction bearings disposed be tween said rotatable means and saidtank:

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of anobservation tank, an electric cable leading continuously through a. sideof the tank and into the interior thereof, rotatable means for fasteningthe wrap pings of the cable to the tank and a watertight joint betweenthe cable and tank to prevent leakage into the tank.

13. In a device of the class described, a periscope tube, a pair ofrelatively small tubes carried by said periscope tube, the upper end ofone of said tubes being disposed above the upper end of the other tube,one of said tubes designed to consti tute an air inhaling tube and theother tube designed to constitute an air exhaling tube.

14. In a device of the class described, a periscope tube, a pair ofrelatively small tubes carried by said periscope tube, the upper end ofone of said tubes being disposed above the upper end of the other tube,one of said tubes designed to constitute an air inhaling tube and theother tube designed to constitute an exhaling tube, said tubes disposedat approximately 90 to each other circumferentially of the periscopetube whereby the apparent diameter of the periscope tube is increasednot more than the diameter of one of the small tubes when viewed fromany angle.

15. In a device of the class described, a

tubes carried by said periscope tube, theupper end of one of said tubesbeing disposed above the upper end of the other tube, one of said tubesdesigned to constitute an air inhaling tube and the other tub designedto constitute an air exhaling'tube.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of anobservation tank, a periscope tube projecting upwardly fromsaid tank, aplurality of rings spaced apartlongitudinally on said tube, a tubeparalleling the periscope tube'and fastened to and supported by saidrings, one end of said tube terminating adjacent the periscopelens andthe other end of said tube opening into the interior of the tank.

17 In a device of the class described, an observation tank provided witha periscope having a relatively smallv cross section, means for rotatingthe periscope tube, a fluid conducting tube positioned close to theoutside of the periscope tube and opening into the interior of the tank,and means for fastening the fluid conducting tube to the 18. In a deviceof the class described, a V

transferring receptacle having an opening at one end thereof, a tankdesigned to be moved into and from the receptacle through said opening,means for closing the opening, said tank and receptacle-bein formed ofseparable parts With the joint of one positioned adjacent the joint ofthe other whereby they may be separated to provide access to theinterior of the tank While said opening is closed. 7

19. In a device of the class described, a transferring receptacle formedof a twopart cylindrical casing adapted to be sepatank Within saidreceptacle and removable therefrom through said outlet, said tankprovided With means for giving access to the interior thereof When theparts of said receptacle are separated from each other.

Slgned at New York city in the county of New York and State of New Yorkthis 12" day of September, A. D. 1916. r r

WILLIAM GUY RUGGLES.

